wxSand: The Falling Sand Game

Features in fsg-4.3:

• Explosions! (2 kinds)
• Energy transfer, sandbox temperature
• Load/Save
• Turn boundary walls on/off
• Turn sources on/off
• Many Elements
• Select area size: 320x240 - 1280x1024
• Save/load/modify/add elements and physics
• Up to 200 elements
• Use less than 100% CPU on limited FPS mode.
• Group or hide elements

First of all, mad props go out to the original creator of this game. Great idea. I only wish I could read Japanese... Here's a link to the original, or at least as close to the original as I can find (Again, without knowing how to read Japanese.)
http://ishi.blog2.fc2.com/blog-entry-158.html

Having wasted hours of productivity on the Java verison of the Falling Sand Game, I began to think of improvements that could be made from the original. No source was available for the original, and Java isn't my choice programming language, that I decided to start de novo with C/C++ and the cross-platform wxWidgets.

I tend to feel that The Falling Sand Game should be more of a Zen experience than anything else (for another fun experience check out Spinpalace.co.uk). I also belive that the game should be as cyclic as possible, so that environments can run and evolve for long periods of time. Finally, I realized the close connection of The Sand Game with the game of Life: Whereby, with a few very simple rules, and some starting conditions, you can create a very unpredictable outcome.

Of course, the original is pretty sweet. So I've make a version with my own rules, and the ability to write your own mods with whatever elements you create. I have implemented many, many more interactions and elements than the original version. Discover them as you play.

Originally, I didn't want to make this Open Source. I think it takes away from the mysticism of the game. Those of you that are so inclined should be able to see the simple algorithm. Note the close connection with the game of Life. Also note the impossible situations, like unequalized water levels. These aren't shortcomings of the game, but instead interesting artifacts of the rules of this alternate reality!

Check back often. I'm always developing new versions.
Go Download it now!

www.fallingsandgame.com
An excellent resource for links to the original, other variations of the game, and neat saved games, is the Falling Sand Forum. Sandman is sponsoring a very active community that involves Sand Game competitions involving some very talented gamers.

FSG Wiki
User-based documentation on how to make new elements for wxSand.

I like to think that this game can be played with a very laid-back approach. Just set up some walls and watch the sand fall.. I completely support any other games written in the same style, like the games at SmartMelon Games.

I am an independent programmer and I support other independent programmers. Large publishing companies all too often kill a good game off by making sequel after sequel. Wolfenstein was awesome, but Return to Castle Wolfenstein? Indie game developers introduce new ideas into the gaming world. Go check some out at GameTrove.net.

This game was written to use the wxWidgets cross-platform library. It couldn't have been done without them, since I only develop my games in GNU/Linux, Ubuntu to be specific. I have recently started to use the Anjunta Integrated Development Environment, and I like it.

I always appreciate constructive feedback:

If you like the game, you can tell me that most effectively by making a small donation for my effort. Of course, I always appreciate any help in paying for bandwidth to host this site too. Since I was listed on digg.com, joystiq.com, and other places, I've used 25GB of my bandwidth just for this page!